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Mississippi National River and Recreation AreaYouth enjoying a canoe ride on the Mississippi River. A large bridge spans the river between wooded shorelines.
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Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Participating Visitor Centers

There are many places in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area corridor where you can join the Junior Ranger Program. You can also continue to learn about the river and earn buttons (like those below) by visiting each location and filling out their unique booklet. Collect all six!

Locations to get booklets and stamps include:

 
The Coon Rapids Dam Junior Ranger button.


Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park
(East and West)
Walk across the historic Coon Rapids Dam while discovering how dams work and how they change the flow of water in the river. Visit the different habitats along the river to find signs of animals, or maybe the animals themselves!

 
The Minneapolis riverfront button.
Minneapolis Riverfront (Mill City Museum and Mill Ruins Park)
Become a river detective and discover the history of the mills that stood along this stretch of the Mississippi River. Tour the old Washburn A Mill and go on a scavenger hunt. Visit Mill Ruins Park and see how people harnessed the immense power of St. Anthony Falls to grind wheat into flour and to mill logs into lumber. Best of all learn about the fascinating lives of the people who lived and worked here. Booklet is available at the Mill City Museum.
 
The Minnesota Zoo Junior Ranger button.


Minnesota Zoo
On this adventure, you’ll discover some of the native Minnesota animals that live along the Mississippi River. Learn fun facts about them in the Minnesota Trails exhibit.

 
Mississippi River Visitor Center Junior Ranger button.


Mississippi River Visitor Center
Visit with National Park Rangers at the visitor center and learn how you can explore, learn about, and protect our wonderful Mississippi River.

 
North Mississippi Regional Park Junior Ranger button.


North Mississippi Regional Park
Explore the fascinating creeks, forests, and the prairie of the North Mississippi Regional Park. Booklets are available in English, Spanish, or Hmong.

 
By becoming a Junior Ranger of the Mississippi River, you pledge to explore the river, learn about the river, and protect the river.
Canoeists in the Mississippi River Gorge  

Did You Know?
A canoe trip in the Mississippi River Gorge between Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN feels like you are miles away from civilization even though you are in the center of a large metropolitan area.

Last Updated: June 17, 2009 at 15:57 EST